https://arab.news/9gwff
- It is unclear who buried the infant before she was rescued by officials and miraculously survived
- The case has drawn social media attention, with many praising Major Waqas for adopting the child
ISLAMABAD: An army officer in Pakistan adopted an infant girl who was buried alive in the country’s northwest after her rescue by emergency responders, state media reported on Saturday.
Cases of abandoned newborns, particularly girls, are not uncommon in Pakistan, where poverty, social stigma, gender discrimination and the fear of societal backlash against children born out of wedlock drive some people to desperate measures.
The Edhi Foundation, one of the country’s largest humanitarian organizations, has placed cradles outside its offices in multiple cities, urging parents to leave unwanted infants there rather than harm them.
“A tragic incident occurred in Nowshera, where an infant girl was buried alive,” Radio Pakistan said in a report. “However, the timely intervention of the Rescue 1122 team saved the baby, who was then transported to a local hospital.”
The report said Major Waqas, an army officer attending a course in Risalpur, learned about the case and went to the hospital to see the child.
“After completing the legal procedures, Major Waqas adopted the baby girl through the civil court,” it added.
The state media report did not specify who buried the girl, how authorities were alerted or the circumstances that led to her rescue.
However, it noted the case had drawn widespread attention on social media and local Pashto news channels, with many praising the officer’s decision to adopt the child.